Review

“Making a sharp turn in your life can cost you dearly if you do not have a firm grip on the wheel.”

Some books make us pause and reflect on how different our journeys are. They remind us how a stranger’s kindness can change a life, and how a single incident can either shape or shatter us forever. Lilies and Daffodils by Arpan Bhattacharya is one such book. The story begins on a chilly winter night when Mr. Hopkins misses his train. An officer at the station asks him to wait in the waiting room, mentioning that another gentleman is also spending the night there. That is when Mr. Hopkins first meets Mr. Oscar. In the cold silence of the waiting room, eye contact is broken, words are exchanged, and slowly, a conversation begins, hesitant at first, unfolding into a story of love, loss, longing, pain, and survival.

The story Oscar shares is his own.

Oscar, from Oklahoma, once lived a content life with his parents and his grandmother. Everything changes when his father climbs the corporate ladder and relocates to another city. While his parents chase professional success and financial stability, Oscar begins to lose something far more precious, his family’s presence. The emotional distance grows, leaving him surrounded by people who are physically present but emotionally absent. We witness Oscar’s childhood struggles: adjusting to a new place, coping with loneliness, and yearning for parental warmth. In this absence, his grandmother becomes his anchor, his warmth, his guiding light. She grounds him, nurtures him, and gives him the emotional safety his parents no longer provide.

Also Read: Book Review: Come Back As Anyone by Ravi Kant – A Poignant Tale of Love, Loss, and Destiny

One day, he meets Shelly, and love quietly blossoms. He later leaves home, studies, takes up odd jobs, and learns to survive on his own. Their love grows beautifully, and for a while, love becomes his refuge. Until reality strikes again, because life is rarely kind for long. One incident changes everything. As Oscar watches his parents drift further into ambition and appearances, life takes a devastating turn. He is suddenly branded a “prisoner’s son.” Society begins to view him through judgment and mistrust, forcing him into a reality he never chose, making life heavier with every step.

When Oscar returns home, burdened by his father’s circumstances, relationships strain further. He shares how he helped his family despite everything, how his bond with his parents evolved over time, and how his grandmother’s declining health deeply affected him. Through it all, Shelly’s love keeps him going, until her family forces her to break all ties because he is now known only as “a prisoner’s son.”

We also see Oscar’s emotional depth. How he chooses responsibility over desire, giving up his love for the sake of his family. He is not someone who runs away from responsibility, even when it costs him deeply. Alongside him, we see Shelly evolving into a more practical woman, someone who genuinely wants to make things work but is ultimately unable to. Both Oscar and Shelly navigate their relationship in their own ways, shaped by duty, love, and circumstance.

This is not a conventional love story where the madness fades with time. It is a story where longing lingers until one finally rests in eternal white graves. Shelly’s love adds depth and meaning to Oscar’s life, even in its absence. What follows transforms him into someone who no longer lives only for himself, but for the happiness of those around him. Love reshapes him, grounds him, and gives him a quiet strength. What unfolds next is deeply wholesome and profoundly moving. Oscar’s life takes shape through loss, restraint, and resilience, especially after losing his grandmother. Her words, her advice, and her strength continue to guide him long after she is gone, helping him become the person he ultimately is.

As Oscar shares his life story with Mr. Hopkins, we witness the quiet formation of an unexpected friendship. An interesting layer is added when Oscar relates his life to characters from his favorite book, drawing parallels that deepen the storytelling and enrich the reading experience. Arpan Bhattacharya’s writing is crisp, descriptive, and emotionally charged. As readers, we step into Oscar’s shoes, feeling his pain, his burdens, and his slow reclaiming of control over life. Chapter by chapter, we walk through dark tunnels with him, watching him search for light and finally find it. At its heart lies an unforgettable love story, showing how love fights greed, softens wounds, and makes us better even when it doesn’t last.

What I loved most was the conversational style, the subtle nods of Mr. Hopkins, his quiet listening, and thoughtful responses. It adds warmth and realism to the narrative. The story is fast-paced, layered with emotion, and filled with vulnerability and growth. The tone of the story is rich and deeply emotional drawing readers into Oscar’s world. The characters are well-developed. Oscar, especially, stays with you, you feel for him, feel proud of him, and root for him throughout.

We witness how Oscar’s longing for love and moments of emotional greed lead him to make certain choices. Choices he later reflects upon, recognizes as mistakes, and learns to control. This growth adds another layer to his character. We also see Mr. Hopkins finally deciding to meet Oscar after their initial encounter at the station. Their dynamic, changed by time and shared understanding, deepens into a meaningful friendship. What unfolds in the closing chapters is deeply satisfying and something readers will truly enjoy experiencing. In the final chapters, the story takes another turn, revealing how life eventually takes shape. The climax is satisfying and offers emotional closure.

Lilies and Daffodils is not a light read, but it is deeply intense, meaningful, and captivating. In just 80 pages, Arpan Bhattacharya creates a world that stays with you long after the book ends.  If you’re looking for a story filled with love, loss, resilience, and emotional depth, this is a book you can truly count on.

Lilies and Daffodils reminds us that money isn’t everything. We earn to live, not live to earn. True happiness lies in helping others, loving selflessly, and cherishing the small joys in life. It’s about loving those around us, valuing relationships, and finding meaning in the simple moments that truly make life worthwhile.

Get your Book Reviewed by Vidhya Thakkar – Connect us Now